In this Aug. 26, 2011, photo, a man relaxes on the lawn in front of the British Columbia legislature in Victoria, B.C. / By Darryl Dyck, AP

by Melanie Eversley , USA TODAY

by Melanie Eversley , USA TODAY

A man and a woman allegedly inspired by al-Qaeda have been arrested by police in Canada for a plot to plant pressure-cooker bombs at British Columbia's provincial legislature headquarters on Canada Day, July 1, the Toronto Star and other news media are reporting.

Thousands of people were expected to be on the scene when the bombs would have exploded, police said. Similar pressure-cooker bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon on April 15, killing three people and injuring more than 250.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been tracking suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody since February and arrested the pair in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on Monday, according to published reports.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner James Malizia called the alleged plot a domestic threat without international connections.

Malizia told a news conference there was no evidence or indication to suggest a connection to the deadly Boston Marathon blasts.

RCMP Supt. Wayne Rideout said the public was never at risk, and the threat was detected early.

There was no evidence that the man and woman had help from a foreign terrorist group, police told the Toronto Star.

Nuttall converted to Islam several years ago, Tom Morino, a lawyer who once represented him, told the Star. Morino added that al-Qaeda and Islam "don't go hand-in-hand."

Morino described Korody as a "very, very quiet young lady who appeared very devoted to their relationship."

Nuttall and Korody were arrested the same day that thousands attended the Canada Day celebrations at the provincial legislature in the provincial capital, Victoria. Police said the pair targeted the celebrations, but the bombs were found outside the legislature before the crowds gathered.

"This self-radicalized behavior was intended to create maximum impact and harm to Canadian citizens at the B.C. legislature on a national holiday," Rideout said. "They took steps to educate themselves and produce explosive devices designed to cause injury and death."

The pair have been charged with conspiracy, facilitating a terrorist activity and making an explosive device.

"A day after thousands of patriotic Canadians gathered on these grounds to celebrate the founding of our nation, I'm incredibly relieved to know that there was never any risk to anyone," British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said Tuesday. "We're also told that the suspects have no ties to any groups inside or outside Canada. Again, an incredible relief that these two individuals appeared to be working alone."

Rideout stressed the pressure-cooker devices were under police control and were inert.

Nuttall and Korody made a brief court appearance Tuesday and return July 9 for a bail hearing.

Morino has represented Nuttall on past charges but wouldn't discuss them. A man with the same name has convictions for mischief and assault, according to court records.

Police said they received a tip from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service that led to what Rideout called a five-month investigation. He said the pair discussed a wide variety of targets and techniques.

Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews credited information sharing among security and law enforcement agencies for the arrest. Canada's security intelligence service has long warned of homegrown and external terrorism threats.

In April, two men were arrested in Canada in connection with a plot to derail a Via passenger train running between New York City and Montreal.

In 1999, Ahmed Ressam, known as the "millennium bomber," was caught trying to bring an explosives-filled car into the United States on a ferry from British Columbia. Ressam, an Algerian citizen, had planned to bomb the Los Angeles Airport during the 2000 New Year celebration.